Arsenio Franklin – Author Interview

Tell us about yourself and what inspired you to start writing.
I had a master’s degree in public relations and was working at a tiny PR firm in 2016 when I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder. I quit my job and decided to pursue my passion for writing. Luckily my wife has a good career.

I’d always wanted to try writing full-time but fear held me back.

Tell us about your books.
Unholy Revelations will probably be unlike anything I write in the future. The story had been in my head for such a long time, I had to put it out there. I can’t say never, but I don’t think I’ll write anything as dark in the future.

How did you go about getting published?
Self-publishing. I’ve also submitted a novel called Little Big Brother to several publishers.

What is your writing process? Do you have a time, day or place you like to write?
I write throughout the week, sometimes on the weekends. I usually start writing at my desk after lunch. I have other things to do before lunch that might interrupt me.

The first step in my writing process is to outline using bullet points. This can be choppy sentences, ideas or full paragraphs and chapters. From there I start a draft and fill things in.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Full-time job, pets, hobbies?
Running, reading and NBA basketball. I’m also a born-again WWE fan.

Any advice for authors about book covers?
Think about it from a reader’s perspective. Would you click or pick it up if you didn’t know what was inside? That’s what a cover is for. It gives a feel for what the book is about and entices readers to find out.

Any marketing tips you’d like to share with other authors?
There is so much. You can’t market your work everywhere. At least not well. Choose the places and outlets that cater to your fans and that you feel comfortable keeping up with.

What’s your favorite book?
It’s a tie. 1Q84 by Haruki Murakami and The Book of Basketball by Bill Simmons.

What are you reading now?
Norwegian Wood by Haruki Murakami

What’s your next book project?
It’s called The Horologist. A horologist is someone who studies the measuring of time. It’s about a watchmaker who receives a special watch from his father when he passes. The watch turns out to be more of a burden than a gift.